On Broadway business group stands behind Walmart talks

On Broadway executive director Chris Naumann, seen at the Broadway Farmers Market in July 2012, has received a vote of confidence from the organization over a proposal to build a Walmart store in the area.

A downtown Green Bay business group under fire for considering a Walmart store is rallying behind its leadership and saying that talks with the big-box retailer will continue.

On Broadway Inc., which owns the site where Walmart wants to locate, on Thursday issued a vote of full confidence in executive director Chris Naumann and board president Greg Larsen.

The action took place behind closed doors during an On Broadway board meeting that followed a week of turmoil stemming from the Walmart proposal in the Broadway shopping district.

Naumann said the vote of confidence was unanimous and that it left him feeling reassured.

Mayor Jim Schmitt and other critics of the Walmart proposal have called for leadership changes at On Broadway. A group known as the Broadway Business Alliance, a newly-formed organization of Broadway District businesses, announced a vote of "no confidence" in On Broadway's board of directors on Wednesday.

On Broadway controls the proposed Walmart site in partnership with the city. Walmart is expected to submit detailed plans within about 30 days.

With the reaffirmation from the On Broadway board, Naumann said he and other officials will follow through and consider Walmart's proposal, knowing that more controversy is likely to follow.

"It's probably going to be a painful discussion," he said. "But we're going to discuss it."

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On Broadway business group stands behind Walmart talks

A downtown Green Bay business group under fire for considering a Walmart store is rallying behind its leadership and saying that talks with the big-box retailer will continue.

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